Exclusive Interview: Bardia Seiri Talks Laugh-Out-Loud Comedy, ‘Incoming,’ Relating to His Character, and More

Bardia Seiri has quickly risen to the top of the class among young actors making their mark on the industry. With standout performances in Grey’s Anatomy, Life in Pieces, and The Chosen, Bardia has consistently demonstrated his innate talent for bringing dramatic roles to life. This August, he takes on a new challenge, making a seamless transition into comedy with his laugh-out-loud portrayal of Danah ‘Koosh’ Koushani in Netflix’s Incoming. Pop Culturalist had the pleasure of catching up with Bardia to discuss this exciting milestone in his career.

PC: Tell us about Incoming, your character, and what drew you to this project.
Bardia: Incoming is about four freshmen who are just starting high school, and they want to make their mark. They want to be popular and at the top of their class, so they decide to throw a party, and everything goes crazy after that.

My character, Danah ‘Koosh’ Koushani, is a really complex guy. He’s got a lot of emotions and just wants to fit in. But at the same time, he wants to stand out, and that’s what really drew me to the role because I could relate to him and what he was going through as a freshman.

I get how scary it can be starting high school, meeting all these new people, trying to fit in with a friend group, while also wanting to stand out and be yourself.

PC: Koosh’s journey throughout the film is about forging his own path. You brought so much depth to that. How did you find your way into this character? What was the most challenging part about bringing him to life?
Bardia: The whole thing was pretty challenging. There are parts of Koosh that I relate to, but a lot of it was new to me. I really had to dive into the script and understand how he’s feeling in every moment.

PC: Your dad is also an actor. Did he share any advice about getting into this character and preparing for the role?
Bardia: He helps me with all my auditions. He’s always told me that auditioning is 90% no’s and 10% yeses. After I get the role, he’ll help me explore the different emotions of the character. We’ll actually reread the same scene a few times and try it with different emotions, tones, and pitches until we find what feels right for the character.

PC: You got your big break on Grey’s Anatomy, which is very dramatic. Incoming is very comedic. How different is the preparation when you’re playing in these different genres? Does one come more naturally to you?
Bardia: They’re both extremely fun to play. Both projects had such great casts and crews. The biggest adjustment for me was switching genres. You’re right—Grey’s is more dramatic, and I’ve been more used to drama. This was my first big comedic role, so it was really about understanding the genre because comedy can take so many different forms.

PC: Comedy also really encourages improvisation. How much of what we see in the film is scripted versus improvised? Do you have a favorite improvised scene that made the final cut?
Bardia: For the most part, we stuck to the script because it was already so great. But sometimes, we’d throw in a gag or a joke here and there. My favorite scene, without giving any spoilers, is the spa scene.

PC: Dave and John Chernin co-wrote and co-directed this project. How different is the filming experience when the people who created these characters are also at the helm directing? What was that collaboration like?
Bardia: Dave and John are incredible. Their views on comedy are so fascinating to me. As soon as I landed the role, I watched the entire series of The Mick because I wanted to understand their style. These guys are hilarious, so I wanted to match their type of humor.

PC: This is one of your first big lead roles in a feature. Congratulations, by the way. Did anything surprise you about the experience? What did you learn about your craft?
Bardia: It was such a great experience. I’ve mostly done TV, where you can really take your time with the story. With film, you know the beginning and the end for your character, so there isn’t a cliffhanger after each season or episode. It lets you really understand how to develop your character from start to finish.

PC: With the film out on Netflix, what do you hope audiences take away? Was there a theme that hit home for you?
Bardia: First and foremost, I hope audiences laugh and enjoy the movie. What I love about comedies like this is that there are so many lessons you can take away. All four of these protagonists want to be themselves but also stand out. They each have their own conflicts and problems to deal with, and by the end, they all find their own resolutions.

To keep up with Bardia, follow him on Instagram. Incoming is out now on Netflix.

Photo Credit: Storm Santos